A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY: TO ASSESS PAIN AND HEALTH RELATED LIFE QUALITY AMONG INFORMAL WORKING WOMEN STRINGING FLOWERS IN NORTH CHENNAI

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction

Pain is a neglected symptom in women and the women working in informal structures like flower stringing in Chennai are going through moderate to severe physical and mental load. Working women experience pain leads to a poor quality of life, influencing physical and mental health during their life time.

Objectives

The aim of the study is to assess pain and health related life quality among informal women workers. (1) To determine the level of pain among women flower stringers. (2) To correlate the relationship between pain severity and health related life quality among women flower stringers. (3) Associate socio-demographic variables with pain.

Methodology

In this cross sectional study, conducted on women flower stringers residing in 4 wards of North Chennai. Stratified random sampling technique was used to recruit women flower stringers having pain using Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and a sample size of n = 112 were involved in the study. Data on socio-demographic variables, pain and health related life quality obtained through structured interview with a validated questionnaire of NPRS and EQ – 5D – 3L. Statistical analyses were done with SPSS.

Results

42 % and 51% of the women flower stringers experience mild to moderate pain in relation to the location of pain in neck, shoulder and phalangeal pain or the whole body pain. Significant difference was seen in pain relation to health related life quality among women flower stringers. Women are more likely to experience pain during their informal working structures. For pain intensity and severity, the associated decrease in health and quality of life was established a minimal relevant difference denotes strong negative correlation. (i.e, r = - 0.6832).

Conclusion

This suggests that level of pain severity has a significant correlation with health related life quality, in which women pain influences her daily activities and work production in terms of income and expenditure.